FIBA: Meesseman, Williams help Fenerbahçe survive first play-in game

As Eric Nemchock explained in his play-ins preview, the new EuroLeague Women playoff format is a bit complicated, as losing the semifinal play-ins doesn’t mean that a team is out of the competition. The teams that lose the semifinal play-ins will play the quarterfinal play-ins winners.

And with the first round of play-ins behind us, one team, in particular will be looking forward to the extra chance at remaining in the competition.

Fenerbahçe is still the team to beat

Famila Schio did their best to catch-up to the reigning champs in their semi-final matchup, but the 14-point lead that Fenerbahçe built in the first half was just too big, and Fener is too experienced to slip and fall in the last minutes of important games.

Emma Meesseman was brilliant, delivering her best game of the season with 29 points, seven boards and five assists. Gabby Williams was again on MVP-level with 20 points and six boards. The Italians still played an awesome game, led by Giorgia Sottana, who had 24 points and went 5-of-8 from 3 in just 21 minutes.

ÇBK Mersin suffer a big, surprising defeat

ÇBK Mersin suffered a devastating loss in Valencia, losing by 32 points in their first semi-final play-in. The game was close in the first half, but the Spaniards went on a 16-2 run to close out the third quarter, demolishing last year’s runner-ups.

Apart from Marine Fauthoux, who was incredible in scoring 23 points while shooting 64 percent from the floor, the rest of Mersin’s starting five shot below 30 percent. In trying to catch-up, Mersin fired away from 3, but continually came up short. Natasha Howard was uncharacteristically missing shots, converting just one of eight attempts from the floor.

It seems that Mersin will have to look for luck in the quarter-finals, as it’s unlikely they will make up the 32-point deficit against a team like Valencia. Five Valencia players scored in double-figures and the team as a whole shot 47 percent from the floor. The key to their success, though, was outrebounding Mersin 46-31.

Quarterfinal Play-Ins results

ZVVZ USK Praha 72, Basket Landes 68

Tango Bourges Basket 75, Casademont Zaragoza 55

Semifinal Play-Ins results

Valencia Basket Club 89, ÇBK Mersin 57

Fenerbahçe Opet 86, Beretta Famila Schio 80